The water bowl you buy is going to have a big impact on your cat’s life. Hey, it’s a pretty simple accessory, right? What could go wrong? While it’s not hard to get a water bowl, finding the perfect one is a good deal more complicated.
In this article, we make a point of profiling ten products that go above and beyond the expectations you have for your water bowls. The products on this list are all highly effective and priced to fit people with a wide range of different budgets.
Let’s dive in. Read on for our water bowl for cats reviews!
The Hepper NomNom Bowl is a plastic tray with two stainless steel bowls, which can be used either for only water or only food, or one for dry food and one for wet food. The tray and bowls can be put in the dishwasher, making them convenient and hygienic.
The tray acts to catch spills and flying debris, so it is suitable for messy eaters. Plus, the bowls have a whisker-friendly design, which means that they are shallow but wide and will prevent whisker fatigue, which can be a problem in deeper and narrower bowls. The bowls are convenient, easy to keep clean, and prevent messes from getting on the floor, making it the best overall cat water bowl. They are also reasonably priced, although a little more expensive than basic bowl options.
Because the bowls are designed to be shallow to prevent whisker pain and sit close together, it can cause food to get into the water bowl if you have a particularly vigorous eater.
All in all, we think this is the best water bowl for cats out there.
Pros
Two bowls in one
Drip tray catches dirt and debris and prevents messes
Whisker-safe bowl design prevents whisker fatigue
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Close proximity of bowls means cross-contamination is possible
The Comsun comes in as our best water bowl for cats for the money. This affordable dish is actually adjustable, with edges that can be raised or lowered in accordance with what you are trying to put in it. This allows you to adapt the bowl to accommodate food and water in different quantities.
The unit is made of silicone, a material that is both durable and easy to wash. Perhaps best of all, you can even get your money back if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase after 30 days.
Unfortunately, the material isn’t very sturdy. If your cat is in a playful mood, it probably won’t have any trouble knocking the dish over.
The Petsafe is nice for the fact that it only rarely needs to be refilled. The bowl is kept well supplied by a sizable 128-ounce reservoir that is activated automatically by gravity. It features a stainless steel bowl that is durable and easy to clean, and all of the components can come apart to be thoroughly washed at your convenience. You can also use the reservoir with dry food if you prefer.
You should note that this unit is substantially more expensive than any of the other options on our list. It certainly won’t suit every budget. We’ve also heard from several users that claimed their older cats didn’t take very well to the system. Cats are creatures of habit, and some may not adapt to a new drinking/eating routine.
The Petmate is a gravity style watering system that is more suitable to buyers on a restrictive budget. For an affordable price, you get a standard plastic water dish that is kept well filled by a gallon-sized reservoir.
The plastic material is anti-bacterial, which should help mitigate the accumulation of harmful germs and bacteria. All components disassemble easily for a simple, straightforward cleaning experience. Finally, the system even comes with a simple but effective charcoal filter that removes impurities.
Unfortunately, the water bottle can be very difficult to reattach, and we noticed that the process usually results in a big mess.
The CatGuru is a stainless steel water bowl that is designed to provide whisker relief for your cat. The bowl is deliberately made to be shallow so that your cat doesn’t need to strain its whiskers bending down into a deep bowl.
It features surgical grade stainless steel and is patterned with visually appealing ripples that will naturally attract your cat’s attention. Finally, the base of the bowl is also “skid-proof” which means it will be resistant to spills.
Unfortunately, we have observed that the dish is fairly difficult to grip. The design is such that there aren’t any surfaces that are easy to get your hands around. It’s a relatively minor complaint in the scheme of things but may frustrate you if you need to get your cat’s bowl ready quickly.
The Necoichi is a traditional ceramic water bowl that can hold up to 300 ml of water. The bowl features a raised base that makes it easier for your cat to drink without straining its neck. It also includes measuring-line tick marks that allow you to effectively measure how much your cat is drinking.
Last, but not least, it is also dishwasher safe, which will save you a big hassle come cleanup time.
Unfortunately, the lip of the bowls is not very whisker friendly. Your cat’s whiskers will bend every time they use it, which might be uncomfortable. Granted, it won’t be agonizing, but there are options out there that will be more suitable.
Pros
Dishwasher safe
Tickmarks make it easy to monitor water consumption
Th Ureverbasic is a simple cat bowl that features a rubber base that will prevent slippage and spills. It’s a two-pack, which means you will get a bowl for food and water, all for a very reasonable price. The dishes are made of stainless steel that is resistant to corrosion, and each dish is sized to fit 8 ounces of food and drink—perfect for a single feeding. Last but not least, both dishes are dishwasher safe, for quick and easy cleanups.
Unfortunately, the exterior of the bowls do feature colored coatings that will chip over time, which can cause safety concerns for your pet. You may avoid the chipping through gentle washing habits, but it is something to be mindful of.
The K&H is a simple but effective bowl that will be great for when you need to leave your cat for long periods. It features a 96-ounce reservoir that could sustain your pet for days if need be. Meanwhile, it also benefits from a unique design concept in the form of the cool plastic material that can keep water cold for up to 15 hours.
This feature works via a plug on the bottom of the bowl, which can be filled with ice-cold water, to keep the interior cool. But as novel as this feature is, it does come with some built-in flaws. For one thing, the bottom plug can leak, which will result in big messes. It also serves as a point of vulnerability. The interior can get gunky fast, at which point it will be very difficult to clean.
The Our Pets is an affordable, stainless steel unit that will be great for saving money. It’s sized to hold 1.75 cups of food, or approximately 12 ounces of water, and benefits from a wide rim that will prevent whisker fatigue.
The bottom is made of rubber to prevent slips and spills, and the entire thing can be safely put in the dishwasher when it comes time for cleaning.
Finally, the sides are slightly lowered to avoid whisker strain, giving your cat a safe, comfortable drinking experience.
Regrettably, a few users have complained about a chemical scent emitted from the rubber bottom. According to them, the smell was so bad that their cat did not want to use the dish.
It’s also very small, which isn’t a problem in its own right, except for the fact that this fact combines with the lowered edges to create a lot of spillages.
The PetRageous is a very simple, but effective product that is wide enough to reduce whisker strain. It’s constructed of stoneware that can be safely placed in the dishwasher or the microwave for ease of use.
Durability is a big problem. The dish will chip and break down easily if it gets bumped or knocked around much. Fortunately, cats aren’t known for being particularly rough, but if you happen to bump the dish, it might not survive the mistake. Granted, it is affordable, so it won’t be expensive to replace should the need present itself, but of course, most will prefer not to have to do so.
Pros
Affordable
Reduces whisker strain
Cons
May break very easily
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Water Bowls for Cats
Now, it is time to get into some buying considerations. Read on for some information about the best water bowl for cats that will make it a little bit easier to select from the 10 great products featured on our list.
Material
There are several main materials that are often used with cat water bowls: plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel. Each has its own merits that are worth looking into.
Plastic
Plastic bowls are usually very affordable, and will probably be safe for the microwave and dishwasher. However, the material can be flimsy. Cats don’t damage their accessories as much as other pets do, but they may still knock the bowl around which can lead to spills when the material isn’t sound enough.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is extremely durable and sturdy. Most of the time, it will be dishwasher safe, and relatively easy to clean. However, stainless steel bowls are also more expensive, and they can’t be put in the microwave.
Ceramic
Ceramic is a common material, celebrated for several reasons. It’s safe for the dishwasher and the microwave and is often decorated with cutesy designs.
The downside, of course, is that ceramic is very fragile, and will probably break after a bump or two.
Image Credit: Pixabay
Whisker Fatigue
If your bowl is not wide enough, it will strain your cat’s whiskers. Fortunately, most manufacturers now account for whisker fatigue in their design concept. However, you should still make sure that the bowl you look into has this feature before you buy it.
Size
Bigger isn’t always better. Many pet owners prefer to get a bowl that is sized in exact compliance with the amount of food and water that your cat consumes.
This feature makes it much easier to track how much your cat is eating and drinking.
Gravity Bowl
Gravity bowls are great because they keep your cat bowl filled constantly, with minimal upkeep on your part. The base is just like any other bowl and can be made of ceramic, plastic, stainless steel, etc.
The gravity bowl differs thanks to the reservoir that is mounted above it. When the dish begins to diminish, gravity pushes more water out to refill the bowl. If you leave your cat home alone when you go to work, this feature is invaluable. Most gravity bowls can even be used with dry food, further enhancing their utility.
However, there are a few downsides to note as well.
For one thing, gravity bowls are often more expensive than the traditional alternatives. A high-end unit might wind up setting you back several hundred dollars (though you can still find a decent one for less than $20).
Unfortunately, the design concept also makes it very difficult to monitor how much your cat is eating and drinking. You essentially just have to trust that they are utilizing their bowls, as they will always appear full.
Finally, some cats are reluctant to change up their routine with a completely different design concept, which means your expensive new purchase may have been for naught.
Food Bowl
Naturally, there is no reason you can’t put food in your water bowl, and indeed, you probably often will. However, if you want to be able to use this bowl for feedings, there are several things you need to account for.
First of all, you want to make sure that the size is optimal for the amount of food that you typically give your cat. You’ll also want to make sure it’s easy to clean. Wiping down a bowl used for water isn’t so hard, but cleaning out something that has been used with wet food can be more of a challenge.
A nonstick surface or a dishwasher-compatible design will go a long way towards eliminating your headaches.
Finally, you may also want to make sure that it can be put in the microwave. Some cats like their food warm and this is much easier to accomplish with a microwavable bowl.
Slip-Proof
Last, but not least, you will probably want to consider something that features a rubber-padded, slip-proof bottom. This stabilizes the bowl so that it isn’t likely to spill if it gets kicked or bumped around.
Conclusion
There is a lot more to picking out the best water bowl for cats than you thought, huh? Hopefully, by now our water bowl for cats reviews have helped you make a decision. For instance, maybe you loved the quality and dependability of our top choice, the Hepper NomNom Bowl.
However, there are also good options that are available at great prices. Our best for the money pick, the COMSUN Collapsible Pet Water Bowl is a testament to the fact that you don’t always have to spend a lot to get something you will be happy with.
Of course, you know your cat better than we do. Ultimately, you just need to pick a product that you know they will love!
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
